Bottle cap with measuring member



Nov. 8, 1949 M. SCHAFFER BOTTLE CAP WITH MEASURING MEMBER Filed Jan. 14, 1948 IN VEN TOR. SGHAFFER MAX Patented Nov. 8, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,487,274 BOTTLE CAP WITH MEASURING MEMBER Max Schalfer, New York, N. Y. Application January 14, 1948, Serial No. 2,223

9 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved medicine bottle or container and means combined therewith for measuring the dosage of the medicine, which provides also means for securing and releasing the closure cap of the bottle or container.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a medicine bottle with a cap which is detachably connected thereto, and a shank having a large spoon bowl and a small spoon bowl, and a detachable connection with the cap.

Another object of the invention is to provide a medicine bottle with a cap detachably secured thereto, and a dose measuring spoon detachably connected with the cap and adapted to swing over and against the cap to serve as a lever to assist in tightening the cap and in turning it to releasing position for complete removal, so that the contents of the bottle may be poured into the spoon after the cap has been completely separated from the closure cap.

A further object of the invention is to provide means on the bottle for restraining the dose measuring spoon from free movement on the bottle.

A still further object is to prevent contagion of any disease which an individual using the bottle of medicine may have. left attached to the bottle, it will never be used by any other member of the family but will be kept for the exclusive use of one person for one bottle of medicine.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, showing the measuring spoon secured against the side of the bottle.

Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the measuring spoon disposed across the closure cap.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the bottle and closure cap, showing the valley through which the spoon will be disposed to act as an operating lever.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view through the cap, showing the hinge eye thereof and the hinge eye of the spoon engaged therewith.

Fig. 5 is a detail edge view of the hinge eye bar of the closure cap.

Fig. 6 is a detail edge view of the spoon and ring.

If the spoon is Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a modified form.

Fig. 8 is a similar view of another modified form.

The medicine bottle, according to the first form of the present invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6, includes a container [0, in the form of a bottle, having a pouring neck H, which is offset from a concentric relation to the container it.

On the externally screw threaded neck II a closure cap I2 is coupled by its internal screw thread W see Fig. 4. This closure cap is provided with a metal, plastic or the like bar l3, which is secured thereto, as by the rivet or fastener M, which is centrally located on the cap. The bar I3 is formed on one end with a helical hinge coil I5, which is located near one side of the cap.

The cap I2 is provided or formed with parallel lugs I6 and I1, which engage the side edges of the flat bar l3, to enable the cap to be opened by relative turning movement between the two lugs adjacent the bar on the cap.

In its secured or closed position the cap holds the hinge eye or coil l5 near the outermost side of the eccentric neck H. The helical hinge coil or eye l8 of the spoon or measuring member i9, is slidably interfitted with the hinge coil or eye l5, and is provided with a small dose measuring spoon bowl 20, and a larger dose measuring spoon bowl 2|, spaced outwardly thereof.

The measuring member of spoon I9 is supported on the closure cap so that it will lie close against the outer surface of the portion of the container it directly under the hinge eye or coil IS. The outer end of the spoon or measuring member I9 is provided with a lip 22, which is engaged by a ring 23, which is slidably mounted on the container Ill, and which serves to hold the spoon l9 snugly against the container. The measuring member or spoon I9 has a portion adjacent its pivoted end corresponding in width to the space between the lugs l6 and I! which engages between the lugs when the measuring member or spoon is pivoted to a position onto the top of the cap 12, as shown in Fig. 2.

When it is desired to take some of the medicine or contents of the container H], the ring 23 is forced downwardly so that the spoon or measuring member [9 can be swung upwardly and over the closure cap, and between the lugs l6 and I1, and then used as a lever for turning the closure cap l2 on the container l9 to completely release the cap from the container.

When the closure cap has been removed, the

,spoon or measuring member [9 may be slidably 3 detached from the closure cap, by shifting the hinge eye or helical coil I8 of the spoon or measuring member I9 out of the hinge eye or coil l of the bar 13.

The medicine may then be poured into the spoon bowl which best serves the purpose of the user, or which is best suited to supply the correct dosage of the medicine.

The invention thus provides means always at hand for dispensing the correct dosage of the medicine, as prescribed by the directing physician, and also means for securing the closure cap so that there is no loss of strength of the medicine and of releasing the closure cap, so that a person rendered weak by illness will have no difiiculty in removing the closure capl2 and pouring the required dosage of the medicine.

The spoon may be made of plastic or metal, and the closure cap may be made of metal, glass or plastic or other suitable material.

The attachment of the spoon to the medicine container or bottle provides a safety measure for aiding the patient in taking the correct dosage, and avoiding the frequently dangerous error of taking an excess amount of medicine, or an insufficient amount. The attachment is also sanitary and hygienic because by attachment to the bottle, the utensils of a sick one are not combined with the utensils of the rest of the family, thereby avoiding contagion.

Fig. 7 shows a modified form of the present invention, wherein the closure cap 30 is provided with a hook 3!, which is formed integrally with a reinforcing rib 32 formed on the closure cap 30. On the hook 3| the measuring spoon 33 is detachably mounted.

Fig. 8 shows another modified form of the present invention, wherein the closure cap 35 is provided with a spring hook 36, which is disposed against one side of the cap, and provided with an outwardly directed terminal 36 The spoon 38 is mounted on this hook and the terminal 36 serves as a latch to prevent accidental displacement therefrom.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the pre ciseconstructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1, The combination with a medicine bottle having an eccentric neck, a closure cap detachably engaged with the neck, a metal bar secured to the closure cap and provided. on one end with a helical hinge coil, a spoon having a helical hinge coil on one end thereof slidably and detachably engaged with the hinge coil of the bar, and a ring slidable on the bottle for restraining the spoon against the side of the bottle.

2. The combination with a medicine bottle having an eccentric pouring neck, a closure cap detachably coupled to the pouring neck, said closure cap having parallel lugs on the upper side thereof,

a metal bar secured to the closure cap between the lugs thereof, said metal bar having a helical coil on one end thereof, a spoon having a helical coil on one end thereof slidably and detachably engaged with the helical coil of the bar and provided with a lip on the other end thereof, and a ring slidable on the bottle to overlap the lip of the spoon and hold the same against the bottle.

3. In a medicine bottle having a removable screw cap, a bar extended diametrically across the top of the cap and fixedly secured thereto, said bar being of a width less than the diameter of said cap, vertical lugs extending from the top of the cap along opposite sides of said bar intermediate the ends thereof, and a measuring member extended vertically along the side of the bottle and having its top end pivotally attached to one end of said bar, said measuring member having a portion adjacent its pivoted end corresponding in width to the space between the adjacent faces of said lugs, whereby said measuring member may be pivoted to a position overlying the cap with said portion engaged between said lugs permitting said measuring member to be used as a lever for tightening and loosening the cap.

4. In a medicine bottle having a removable screw cap, a bar extended diametrically across the top of the cap and fixedly secured thereto, said bar being of a width less than the diameter of said cap, vertical lugs extending from the top of the cap along opposite sides of said bar intermediate the ends thereof, and a measuring member extended vertically along the side of the bottle and having its top end pivotally attached to one end of said bar, said measuring member having a portion adjacent its pivoted end corresponding in width to the space between the adjacent faces of said lugs, whereby said measuring member may be pivoted to a position overlying the cap with said portion engaged between said lugs permitting said measuring member to be used as a lever for tightening and loosening the cap, said measuring member being formed with dose measuring bowls of different sizes.

5. In a medicine bottle having a removable screw cap, a bar extended diametrically across the top of the cap and fixedly secured thereto, said bar being of a width less than the diameter of said cap, vertical lugs extending from the top of the cap along opposite sides of said bar intermediate the ends thereof, and a measuring memher extended vertically along the side of the bottle and having its top end pivotally attached to one end of said bar, said measuring member having a portion adjacent its pivoted end corresponding in width to the space between the adjacent faces of said lugs, whereby said measuring member may be pivoted to a position overlying the cap with said portion engaged between said lugs permitting said measuring member to be used as a lever for tightening and loosening the cap, said bar being formed at one end with a hinge coil, said measuring member being formed at its top end with a hinge coil interengaged with the hinge coil of said bar forming the pivotal attachment of said measuring member on said bar.

6. In a medicine bottle having a removable screw cap, a bar extended diametrically across the top .of the cap and fixedly secured thereto, said bar being of a width less than the diameter of said cap, vertical lugs extending from the top of the cap along opposite sides of said bar intermediate the ends thereof, and a measuring member extended vertically along the side of the bottle and having its top end pivotally attached to one end of said bar, said measuring member having a portion adjacent its pivoted end corresponding in width to the space between the adjacent faces of said lugs, whereby said measuring member may be pivoted to a position overlying the cap with said portion engaged between said lugs permitting said measuring member to be used as a lever for tightening and loosening the cap, and means for retaining said measuring member in position,alongside of the bottle.

7. In a medicine bottle having a removable screw cap, a bar extended diametrically across the top of the cap and fixedly secured thereto, said bar being of a width less than the diameter of said cap, vertical lugs extending from the top of the cap along opposite sides of said bar intermediate the ends thereof, and a measuring member extended vertically along the side of the bottle and having its top end pivotally attached to one end of said bar, said measuring member having a portion adjacent its pivoted end corresponding in width to the space between the adjacent faces of said lugs, whereby said measuring member may be pivoted to a position overlying the cap with said portion engaged between said lugs permitting said measuring member to be used as a lever for tightening and loosening the cap, a ring slidably engaged about the bottle, and a lip formed on the lower end of said measuring member and engaged by said ring for holding said measuring member in position alongside the bottle.

8. In a medicine bottle having a removable screw cap, spaced vertical lugs formed on the top of the cap with adjacent sides facing one another, said lugs being extended parallel to each other, a measuring member extended vertically along the side of the bottle and having its top end pivotally attached to the side of the cap at a point along a plane extended midway between said lugs, said measuring member having a portion adjacent its top pivoted end corresponding in width to the space between the adjacent faces of said lugs, whereby said measuring member may be pivoted to a position overlying the cap with said portion engaged between said lugs permitting said measuring member to be used as a lever for tight- 4 ening or loosening the cap.

9. In a medicine bottle having a removable screw cap, spaced vertical lugs formed on the stop of the cap with adjacent sides facing one another, said lugs being extended parallel to each other, a measuring member extended vertically along the side of the bottle and having its top end pivotally attached to the side of the cap at a point along a plane extended midway between said lugs, said measuring member having a porv tion adjacent its top pivoted end corresponding in width to the space between the adjacent faces of said lugs, whereby said measuring member may be pivoted to a position overlying the cap with said portion engaged between said lugs permitting said measuring member to be used as a lever for tightening or loosening the'cap, and means for retaining said measuring member in a position extended along the side of the bottle.

MAX SCHAFFER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

